Bilko for Windows

Landsat Thematic Mapper false colour composite image of a coastal desert area. The small patches of dark-red close to the coast around the large flask-shaped bay are mangrove areas.

The Bilko image processing software was re-written to take advantage of the Microsoft Windows user interface with considerable enhancements in both capabilities and presentation in the mid-1990s. Bilko for Windows v. 1.0 and v. 2.0 were designed as 16-bit programs for Windows 3.1 but run under Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. The current version, Bilko v. 3.0 is a 32-bit program which is designed to run best using Windows 2000 and Windows XP. This is currently under beta-testing.

In redeveloping the software its use as an educational tool has remained paramount in the programmer's mind. This development has also allowed the lesson material itself to be supplied in another window as well as (or instead of) on the printed page (see Module 6). These "on-line" lessons have the advantage of hypertext links (as in standard Windows Help files) to make the lessons more interactive, responding to the needs of the individual user.

The first Bilko for Windows module (Module 6) explored these new possibilities and consisted of the following materials:

Introduction: a traditional text based introduction to all the features of the new Bilko for Windows software.

Introductory tutorials: on-line tutorials which introduce the features of the new software.

Deriving sea surface temperature maps from the ERS-1 Along Track Scanning Radiometer (ATSR).

Imaging coastal features with ERS-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR); central English Channel.

Using Landsat for coastal management-1: Mapping and determining major substrate categories.

Using Landsat for coastal management-2: Vegetation mapping.

Bilko Help file to provide interactive support to users.

In Module 6 lessons are available on-line as Windows Help files as well as on the printed page.

The second Bilko for Windows module is devoted solely to coastal management applications and consists of 8 lessons.

If you wish to download Module 6 then you must first register after which we will e-mail you the information required for access to the files for these.